The Budget Fashionista

May 18, 2007 Brittany wrote:

When I first heard about this line, I was excited.  After finally seeing it on Oprah, I still am excited.  I’m a student, so I don’t have much to spend on clothes.  Stores like Forever 21 and others often have clothes that are too trendy and to small for my size 14 body.  So it will be nice to be able to buy some classic pieces that don’t cost an arm and a leg.  I can’t wait to actually get my hands on the clothes and feel it and try it on to see how it fits to see if its worth it.

May 18, 2007 Karen wrote:

All I know is I think the clothes are cute and they are affordable, which is great! And I am definently going to be buying some things! I’m excited about it!

May 18, 2007 Amanda wrote:

I saw the Oprah show, and thought most of the clothes were cute. The sailor pants and v-neck dress were both adorable. (Though do any of us really need another pair of budget espadrilles?)

I do think the sizing she’s created is pretty remarkable. And that anyone would bring up Forever 21 as a comparison seems really odd, actually… I can’t even fit my leg into a size large there. Their sizes are for pre-teen girls, not women.

I’m trying to remember, though, that some corners must have been cut to manufacture this clothing so cheaply. I’d rather spend a little more for clothing that I know wasn’t made in a sweatshop, if I had my druthers.

May 18, 2007 Marilyn wrote:

It is refreshing that sarah jessica parker has come out with an affordable clothing line that has sizes and styles for the average woman.  I don’t know if the line Bitten will be only sold on-line.  If this is the case I would be hesitant to buy because I prefer trying on my clothes at a store before purchasing.

May 18, 2007 lucy wrote:

i think you are 100% percent right about oprah’s audience reaction. usually they are pretty gung-ho about items oprah presents on the show. plus im assuming that each audience member received a hefty bag full of bitten items.

May 19, 2007 christal wrote:

I am still not a fan of the line and I watched the show just to see if there was anything different from what I already saw.  You are absolutely right, the name attached to it may help it but other than that its the same old things that we have seen in other stores.  There is nothing extraordinary about it and I love SJP. It seems like another money venture for her.

May 19, 2007 Stacey wrote:

I read a lot of the comments on here and they were pretty negative. I agree it may not look like clothes that she would usually wear but she does have money. Most of you are missing the point of this clothing line is for women that can’t afford to buy Gap or even Target. Those who are being negative may not understand what is to be broke. And obviously if your well off she didn’t make this clothing line for you. This is my opinion.

May 19, 2007 Lucky wrote:

I’m checking out SJP on Oprah (right now there’s a commercial break, so I thought I’d comment on TBF) I’m really not that impressed by SJP’s line, although I kinda like the coats and 2 pairs of jeans. I do commend her for having her clothing line sized from size 2 to 22

May 19, 2007 y wrote:

You’re right about the line being nothing new.  And the vest shown at the end did look cheap.  Even cheap people don’t want to look cheap.

May 19, 2007 Kristin Gates wrote:

I agree with everything you’ve said about this line, and with your observations about the Oprah show today. I’ve never been very impressed with the quality of clothing at Steve and Barry’s, and nothing from the Bitten line looks new - I could buy all of it at Target (and it would probably be better quality!) The thing that bothers me the most, though, is the condescending attitude (like we should be saying, “Thank you, fashion gods from hollywood, for coming down and gracing us with your amazing style, we will buy anything that you endorse, even if it is junk!")

May 19, 2007 Rachel wrote:

I find your attitude offensive. The bottom line is that if a celebrity like Sarah Jessica Parker really wanted to make a lot of money, she could have charged a hell of a lot more for her clothing line. This is coming from a girl who shops anywhere from Target to Prada. I am only on your site because the one time I’ve watched Oprah in the past six months, I was relieved to find her interviewing a celebrity about something other than tabloids. I googled Bitten and your blog was the first to pop up - I don’t know how that happened.

May 19, 2007 Kate wrote:

Agreed that no one would pay it any mind were she not associated with it. Also, I was sort of under the impression that true blue Carrie Bradshaw fans would never want to be associated with anything so lowly as “discount fashion.” My only other thought watching the slightly nauseating (nauseating because SJP seems to be under the impression she’s doing God’s Work, churning out disposable “fashion” for housewives from the heartland) segment on Oprah today was that any discussion of the economics of production of this line was curiously absent. I’m assuming the worst: that the line is sewn by eleven year olds in Guatemala and Moldova.

May 19, 2007 Alexzandra wrote:

My personal feeling is that these clothes look like they were rescued from a London work house, they just seem very “gray”, but perhaps my need for richer color is based on the season and the part of the country I live in (here we dress for perpetual spring). 

At any rate, it would also be good to note that Oprah’s audiences are hand picked (I used to live near Chicago), and when shows are taped they will do it over and over till an audience looks totally enthused, so if her audience didn’t LOVE the clothes, then they probably didn’t like the clothes.

May 19, 2007 Barbara wrote:

True what you say about “JSP on Oprah”. Also the fact that this is a money-making business.  But fashionestas are not stupid.  If the clothing line is not made well and doesn’t hold up they won’t buy it again. The opening of her clothing line maybe successful, but time will tell.  Best to invest in good basics.

SoHo Accessories

May 19, 2007 Judy wrote:

I saw this show too and was puzzled by the concept that celebrities putting their names on inexpensive lines of clothes, etc. was actually a philanthropic activity.  Doing their bit for the underprivileged.  I also found it all rather condescending and in the end still promoting brand-name consumerism.

May 19, 2007 TBF wrote:

I’ve been very concerned about the reaction of some of you to the line and I think it highlights the greater problem we (myself included) have with consumerism

1. Several of the comments failed to answer the central question- which is would you still buy it if it didn’t have a celebrities name attached to it?
2. I also think there’s a many misconception regarding mass market lines and the retail industry- high prices DOESN’T equal more profitability. In fact the mass market lines like SJP’s line are very profitable. SJP stands to make at least approximately $1-$2 for every garment sold. Maybe even a little but more. To put this in perspective- singers/musicians rarely make more than $1 a record and most authors make around $1-$2 for every paperback book they sell.

3. It’s interesting how many people confused the public image of celebrities with who they actually are. I am not saying that SJP isn’t a good person, I’m in no position to judge anyone, but I’m still surprised about how connected people feel to someone whose job it is to sell. 

4. Steve and Barry’s peeps are obviously still posting in the comments section. This is really sad and so against the rules. It’s also stupid because we can see your IP address.

5. We come up second for Bitten because the blog is popular. Stick around. I’m not a celeb basher by any stretch of the imagination (I really do like SJP, just that the spin being put on the line is a bit disingenuous), but I do believe in asking questions, which is my right. I’m not sure how anyone can be offended by the post I wrote.

6. If SJP was so philanthropic, a percentage of the sales would go to charity, it’s interesting how many people feel like she’s doing them a favor by making money. It’s also been very interesting to compare the reaction to her line vs. the Amanda Bynes line.

7. I find the comments regarding how the clothes were made very interesting.. based on price, I doubt they were made in the USA, but I could be wrong. Not one person, even Oprah, asked this question. The cynic in me says that the need to have a certain lifestyle is more important to some people than the impact of the clothing on the greater world

May 19, 2007 Noki wrote:

I don’t watch tv anymore, so I did not see the Oprah episode in question.  I did however read that SJP was quoted as saying the criticism of her line was ridiculous because she was providing fashion for women who would not otherwise be able to afford it.

My first thought was, “So women in lower income brackets deserve ill fitting cheaply made clothing?  And its supposed to make them feel pretty?”

I am trying to bare in mind that writers often take liberties that they should not with phrasing.  Maybe she didn’t actually read the critiques… maybe she just heard they were getting “mean” reviews.

I cannot find the article now, I think it was in the NYT fashion section.

May 19, 2007 Amber wrote:

I love this line!! Some of these people don’t know fashion apparently. What is it because it isn’t revealing? As a mom I can honestly say, I would wear this line on a daily basis, I think it’s a wonderful idea. Under $20, I can afford to get spit up on with that. It’s about time someone realized not everyone has money to waste on designer clothes, I have kids to cloth as well as myself. I’ll be eager to see if they decide to extend the line to men’s and children’s, that would be awesome. Keep up the good work and don’t let these bad comments slow you down. I can’t wait to buy my first pair of jeans from this line.

May 19, 2007 Kristen wrote:

I saw the show, and whatever SJP’s reasons for doing the line, I’m not really concerned.

I’ve never been into the brand on the clothing as much as I’ve been attracted to particular styles, and what I liked about the Bitten clothes were their simplicity and clean, understated-ness.  I’ve seen Isaac M.’s stuff in Target - don’t like it.  But there were quite a few ensembles strutted on Oprah’s stage that I found myself wanting to order immediately.

I wonder if the lack of enthusiasm from O’s audience had anything to do with the fact that much of what was being showed wasn’t ultra-trendy, and destined to look idiotic on someone in three months when the trend passes?

May 19, 2007 megan wrote:

I was a little hesitant about this line because it is at Steve and Barry’s even though I love love love SJP, but after watching Oprah I believe I have found my new favorite clothing line. It is PERFECT. You can tell on Oprah Sarah was just so passionate about the line and that putting it at Steve and Barry’s makes it afforadble. I plan on being the first person in line. It shows that style is not defined by the price tag, but by your creativity.

May 19, 2007 blondiebluenyc wrote:

I think SJP did a wonderful job stating these were supposed to be good, quality BASIC peices that would look good for very little money. Yes, she will make money - but she already has a high end perfume - she could have easily gone high end. I think she delivered the best available line for such low prices.
I have yet to see it in person - but most of the stuff I saw, I said to myself, “Heck Yeah, I would buy that whole outfit for less than $40!”

This has the potential to start something big. More Quality and fashionable items for lower prices. Rome isn’t built in a day, so maybe people should look at the flip side: Bitten (and the Starbury Line) are trying to gain attention for lower priced, quality clothes. They are making it OK for people to not have to spend $200 on jeans or tennis shoes. And unlike many celebs, she is out there wearing it and living it. She DOES wear her line here in the city.

If the prices were more mainstream, in the market of average retailers, the line would be far less exciting but they are all under $20!!!! Yes, you can find cute items for cheap at Target - but they don’t cost less than $20…

and Budget Fashionista, I do love you - but why are you frowning on SJP but buying your son Starbury shoes? Seems a little hypocritical. Starbury does a great service to the community, but Bitten is just a celebrity trying to make a buck...???

May 19, 2007 lizzie wrote:

Thanks for covering this press on Oprah with such thoughtfulness. I was not at all impressed with the clothes that I saw on Oprah yesterday, and I thought that SJP seemed not to be too enthusiastic about the clothes, either. They are just not her (and they certainly are not Carrie Bradshaw, who would LAUGH at this stunt).

SJP made her name by wearing things that most of us cannot afford and inspiring only envy and wannabe-ness.

Like Samantha Jones said to her boyfriend Smith on S&tC;: “At least wear [these designer] sunglasses. If you don’t wear something that the kids cannot afford [on TRL], how will they know to look up to you?”

May 19, 2007 Candy wrote:

I love the new clothing line Bitten.  It is awesome!  To have everything under $20 is a tremendous accomplishment for Sarah.  Most popular inexpensive stores such as Target and Wal-Mart have jeans, blazers, and coats priced for over twenty dollars.  I am twenty-five, a stay at home Mom, and student.  My husband makes $16,000 a year and sometimes we do not have the money to go spend to buy a new dress or outfit for me if we are going out to a party or a family gathering.  I am glad that Sarah Jessica Parker created Bitten and to everyone who chooses to criticize.  Think about how she is helping women like me.  A woman who is a size sixteen who needs an inexpensive coat, bag, and blazer so she can look cute when she is handing her coupons over to the clerk when buying her groceries.  Thank you Sarah Jessica Parker, you rock!

May 19, 2007 ms.glam wrote:

You’re assessment is pretty spot-on. While, I too like SJP, she’s doing nothing new. It’s just another line by a celebrity, that’s suppose to be cheap and chic, but lacks the chic part.

May 19, 2007 Jamie wrote:

I agree, nothing new and they are totally condescending. It’s all about money, however SJP wants to spin it. I only saw the end, but Oprah didn’t seem that enthusiastic either, she was much more into Stephon Marbury.

I find SJP and her message hypocritical when, let’s be honest, modern day slave labor is producing the clothing. Since they have their own stores, S&B;can do what they want as far as bad labor practices.

I think Bitten might be successful at first, but eventually fade away. I don’t know what S&B;is thinking, SJP, Amanda Bynes? It’s totally not their target customer.